I have a damp problem with my flat. Around the flat there are areas of plaster that are crumbling from the walls only held on with wet wallpaper. Mould is developing on the wallpaper.

I have a dpm and there is also a french drain around the side of the wall most affected. The render looks ok and there are air bricks.

Suggestions I have had are that the airbricks are leeting water in (i live on a cliff front and we get horizontal winds) and that masonry has crumbled and fallen into the wall cavity stopping the air circulating within.

Are either of these likely? Can you suggest a way I can find out?

I don't want to have to pay for work to be done that doesn't need to be.

Air bricks are usually inserted to ventilate a hollow (wooden) floor and rain driving throgh these would not necessarily end up in the wall. See the project on air bricks. go to one of our damp projects like DIY Damp Proof Courses and ring the Company in there, they give you free, no obligation advice.

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